Chefs Repurpose Olympic Leftovers To Serve 5,000 Meals A Day To The Poor

Michelin-star chefs have been repurposing leftovers from the Olympic Games to feed approximately 5,000 impoverished citizens each day.

Before the Olympics began, True Activist reported that renowned chefs Massimo Bottura of Italy and David Hertz of Brazil intended to partner together and repurpose some of the thousands of pounds of food leftover from serving athletes during the Games.

By no means was following through with that goal an easy feat, but the chefs – along with a dedicated team – have diligently succeeded in serving approximately 5,000 meals a day to the poor throughout the events.

The Independent reports that impoverished residents in Brazil have been receiving the delectable leftovers from the kitchens that haven’t been used to feed the approximate 11,000 athletes.

Mr. Hertz told Reuters:

“RefettoRio Gastromotiva is going to work only with ingredients that are about to be wasted … like ugly fruit and vegetables, or yogurt that is going to be wasted in two days if you don’t buy it.”

“We want to fight hunger and provide access to good food,” he added.

Dino Panato / Getty

Even after the Olympic Games finish, RefettoRio Gastromotiva will continue to function as a “social business”. Vocational training will be offered to aspiring restaurant professionals, including cooks, bakers, and servers so that people may learn new skills to remove themselves from poverty.

In most developed countries, between 30% and 40% of edible food is wasted. At the same time, 800 million people go hungry every day. By repurposing some of the perfectly nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste, the activists involved with Gastromotiva are taking grand strides to remedy this catastrophe.